Friday, January 9, 2009


Edward Looks At Rain

From the late afternoon on there had been something of a drenched, warm feeling to the early January air; an odd soddeness, expected at other times of the year, but most unusual for a winter month. The big white dog had noticed. He knew the rain was purported to be arriving as a dramatic escort to a much colder tomorrow, and for that he was glad. But, still. Rain. His least favourite sort of weather. No walk tonight. For even though his lady had received the black wellies she had asked for at Christmas, he knew she cared far too much for him to take him on an outing in the pouring rain. He would have to get his paws wet, and that was the one thing in life he really, really hated. He hopped up on the window seat to watch the skies and ponder the miserable sensation of wet paws.

The rain was preceded by chariots of wind that galloped through the tops of the tall trees at breakneck speed, occasionally reaching down to the garden floor with a gust that would vacuum up the leftover, paperthin leaves in a tornadic whirl of brown and grey. The big dog watched it all at the window and thought about his paws. Then finally, around midnight, just as they all were heading down the hallway to bed, it came. Rain. He could hear it... blitzing the roof above him, racing down the gutters, pounding its drowned wetness deep into the ground - ground that, tomorrow, he would have to trod on, walk through - ground that would probably get his paws wet. Bother. He sighed. But then his lady smiled and told him not to worry. She reminded him that being snug and dry inside on a stormy night was really a very good thing. Effortlessly, he leaped up to take his normal place atop the downy bed and laid his big white head on her feet as she opened another of those books of which she is so fond. He sighed again. He had to admit, the sound of the rain was pleasing. His large almond eyes felt so heavy, so he closed them. His lady patted his head and told him that the rain would be over before he awoke in the morning - that it would be a much colder, sunnier day tomorrow, and that he would love it, and they would go for a long afternoon walk and .... but he never heard her. He was asleep.

Edward sets off for his walk on the sunnier tomorrow

Painting above: The Thunderstorm by Vincent Van Gogh

43 comments:

  1. You know, that's an interesting photo: black, white, the lady and Edward. I like it.

    I do love reading inside to the sound of rain.

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  2. so perfect to be wrapped up, warm & cosy with a wonderful story, & hearing the rain rattling on the roof. little coco, plonks down on the doorstep in disgust when we open the door to see lashing rain. wishing for crisp & dry walking weather for you both tomorrow, *ruthie*

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  3. I knew that was a van Gogh! I love the way he paints rain.

    And you two make such a darling pair. I hope you enjoyed the puddles and didn't get too soggy. I do love the sound of rain on the roof!
    Becky

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  4. I just realized - I worry like Edward! He's fluffier though (and probably nicer!). Definitly cuter!
    Catherine

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  5. Wonderful! I could so 'see' Edward sitting there thinking about his paws!

    Such a comforting piece - I shall think about it when it rains and feel happy!

    (How about wellington boots for Edward too?)

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  6. Love the new style of you little blog cabin. Great pic of Edward(like he already knows it).
    I sense Muffin and Edward would've been real pals.

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  7. Well, I know how Edward feels. I, too, hate to be outside in rain. I much prefer to be under a snug roof reading. I can picture you there! Nice wellies. Nice post. :)

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  8. So wonderful, Pamela. I love your your Wellies! I'm in need of a pair myself...

    Lizzie can sympathize with Edward. She detests the rain but absolutely loves the snow. She loves to romp about in the cold ( even at 13) and eats mouthfuls..She always has the funniest snow beard. We've missed our walks as well this week and the back yard has had to do...

    Now, I suspect Lady Carol( the Greyhound) has not been pleased with this weather. She's in temp foster care and fresh off a retirement farm in Jacksonville, Fla. and she has been welcomed to Kentucky with an artic blast this week. Still shopping for hound coats( the snoods are great in rain as well) and counting down her arrival...should be just a couple of weeks to go until she's ready to arrive!

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  9. My neurotic older adopted dog can tell if rain is coming our way hours before it arrives and gets very nervous just thinking about it...she has been known to stand and stare at walls...poor thing will shake at the sounds of heavy weather...the longer our adoptee has lived with us the better she handles it...I love the sound of rain..

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  10. Edwards musing are music to mine ears. Oh happy dog, oh happy mistress.
    The prof. always warned me "don't think so much". Everytime one uses the phrase "but I thoght", one is invariably in the wrong.So it was when I thought I knew all of van Gogh's paintings, only to be confounded by this one of rain! Thank you, it is good too be puut right now and again.

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  11. What a perfect bedtime story. It even has a happy ending.

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  12. I just smile the whole time I'm here - loved the Van Gogh! I don't remember ever seeing it before - the best pic was Edward sitting next to you and your new wellies - now I can go to bed.

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  13. Handsome Edward, Your Mom tells the most wonderful stories!

    And next year, I think you should put wellies on your list ;)

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  14. RAIN...o no...hope for you and dear Edward the weather will change! Its still a beautiful winterwonderland outhere..

    Love the van Gogh!

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  15. Braxton & Lulu have the same sad thoughts about our snow. They will walk in the rain, and I have tried getting them to wear those little doggie boots (do they make Wellies for dogs??) however, they shake them off of their feet quicker than I can get them on! Poor pups! We usually end up carrying them to the park, where, hopefully, the snow plows have cleared a little bit of green for them.
    Have a wonderful sunshinny week-end!

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  16. Maybe someone will invent Wellingtons for dogs, not as strange as it may see as someone made some for a pig with a dislike of mud!
    http://scienceblogs.com/zooillogix/2008/07/pig_in_boots.php

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  17. maybe edward should have a nice pair of red rain boots!!!

    enjoy your snugly time inside with edward. tomorrow's another day, perhaps filled with sunshine!

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  18. Edward ia a man after my own heart!

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  19. Awww. I just love that puddle of white fluff. I have a puddle of black at my feet as we speak.
    {Happy Sigh}

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  20. Edward knows when to slow down and just enjoy the weather...or the rest it brings you--why are dogs always smarter than people??

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  21. I wish Edward would speak to my two loves - siberian huskies - they LOVE the rain. They scamper out in it and want to head straight to the velvet couch to relax after sauntering back in from the soggy outdoors! A stand off ensues, and I always win, but Argh!

    Love your wellies and I adore the painting!

    Pamela, I have something for you on my blog :)
    xo Isa

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  22. lovely portrait of Edward and wonderful description of his thoughts,

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  23. Lovely post Pamela and delightful to see Edward again. Rain on the roof is just wonderful, but so is walking in drier weather.There is so much of his thick coat to get wet in the rain, no wonder he likes the drier conditions. Dear Edward, he looks such a sweetie.

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  24. I think Edward needs his very own Wellies and a smart rain-coat for wet days.

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  25. Oh Edward what a good sensible boy you are! Jasper loves rain but more especially mud, he likes nothing better than to splash through muddy puddles and then crash through the undergrowth looking for pheasants and rabbits, collecting assorted leaves and briars on the way. Please Edward, do you think you could take him in hand, show him the error of his ways and turn him into a smart, well groomed chap like yourself?

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  26. It's a pleasure sharing inspirations with others artists... enjoy..

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  27. Oh Pamela, the photo of you in your wellies and your boy is priceless! I am not surprised Edward hates wet paws - Terra does too. She minces along on a wet sidewalk.
    I could see your back yard, with the storm blowing in. Extreme weather is so lovely, isn't it!?

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  28. Oh, I hope Edward enjoyed his walk after the rain. Poor poppet, worrying about his paws :)

    Kim x

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  29. What an exceptionally clean Edward.
    Does he enjoy being brushed?

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  30. Ahhh..wellies! not heard or seen those in so long. :)

    So, Edward doesn't like walks then or doesn't like them in the rain?

    I love that picture, btw. Is that Yokshire?

    And, one more thing, can you recommend som every good fiction then, being how I am? You got me thinking.

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  31. Hi Pam,
    Great to meet you, thanks for coming to my blog! I'm not sure why but your email bounced back so I followed you here and am sure glad I did =]
    Your blog is just beautiful and I'm going to add you to my blogroll right now. As for the production, I'll send you the email address once I know what happened. Do you have a treatment? She is supposed to send me a non disclosure or confidentiality form but it hasn't come yet.
    I'll get it for you tomorrow!

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  32. and by the by i see why Edward is so irresistible!

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  33. Wearing your lovely wellies must transport you to your time on this small island, where the grass is always green thanks to all our (cover your ears, dear Edward) RAIN ;-)

    Such a beautiful photo of you and your handsome one.

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  34. I hope the ground was nice and crispy under Edward's paws the next morning. I agree with Edward's lady that being inside snug and warm and listening to a stormy night is one of life's good things:)

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  35. oooh !! Les Wellies c'est tres, tres beau !! I'm jealous - no other kind of wellies would do. Miss D squints her eyes in the rain, looking at me blinking as if to say "what's up with this". The retrievers - Em & Jake - on the other hand, never noticed the rain they "always" were happy to be outside although on occasional very bitter cold days I would hear them whisper "Mama ... ne pas de Husky" Wink.

    lots of love from our Gang.

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  36. I am sharing this post with my sister, whose dog, Gracie, feels as Edward does about wet paws. Our Sarah doesn't mind wet paws at all. We just hope that rain will be the worst weather we'll meet south of the Ohio River. Three days into our trip, we're in the middle of our second raging blizzard so far, with many, many miles yet to cover.

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  37. You just had me laughing! I've never watched that show - if you can believe that! You have a great sense of humor - as most brilliant minds do!!! I'm heading off to bed now with a big smile to end the day! Thanks, Pamela.
    Catherine

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  38. Love the pic of you in rainboots and Edward. So cute.

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  39. Edward is so expressive! I love seeing new photos of him on your blog.

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  40. Have I been over to you to wish you a Happy New Year, time is so short, I am losing track. Also to thank you for your very kind Xmas wishes on my blog, I do hope you enjoyed the holidays. I would so love to see Edward in some wellingtons too! x

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  41. Lovely descriptive writing as always, Pamela. Super photo of Edward and the black wellies.

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  42. Your sweet tale and the photo of Edward simply warmed my heart. And I have two pups who feel the exact same way- to get their paws wet is a bother indeed.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!